Flatwork ironer



H. D. FORSE FLATWORK IRONER Feb. 1, 1949.

3 SheetsSheet 1 Original Filed March 1, 1959 ,"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII,

'lIIIIilIIJIIIIlIIIII/l Feb. 1, 1949.

H. D. FORSE FLATWORK IRONER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 1, 1939 INVENTOR.

R) .27. Foxsf.

Feb. 1, 1949. o s 2,460,496

FLATWORK IRONER Original Filed March 1, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLATWORK IRONER Harry D. Forse, Anderson, Ind.

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a flat work ironing machine or mangle.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 259,223 filed March 1, 1939, entitled Flat work ironer, and is directed to the improved ironing machine of the chest and roll type, and which has considerable ironing surface between the chest and roll and which has an additional ironing surface independent of the roll by utilizing the chest and which is utilized in a multi-stage construction capable of completely finishing a piece of work without re-working it and without requiring a machine of considerable floor space.

Other objects and features of this type of ironing device are set forth in the aforesaid application allowed May 13, 1944, and now Patent No.

' 2,368,652 dated February 6, 1945.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through an expansible roll or cylinder and its associated parts.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the expansible roll and is taken on line 3-3 of Fig, 2 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of the form shown in Fig. 4 and is taken on line 55 of Fig. 4 and in the direction of the arrows.

In the drawings there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention. For simplicity, same is shown including but two vertically arranged units, but in practice anywhere from four to six may be employed. In this event the work is fed in at an upper floor level and the ironed pieces removed at the next lower floor level, or the work may be supplied to an elevating conveyor run at the lower level.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings In indicates two spaced frame members connected together as at H, see Fig. 2, and by the base I2. Mounted thereon is an electric motor [3, the "current for which may be controlled from any one of a number of control stations by appropriate switches and, if desired, with such a control well known in the motor industry whereby initial very slow starting speed is utilized, then successively higher speeds until normal speed is obtained.

This motor is preferably protected by an overload switch 2|.

A suitable speed reducer l4 rotates shaft I5. Herein a conventional worm and worm wheel structure is shown. Shaft l5 mounts sprocket (5 for driving chain I1. A pulley I9 is the conveyor belt drive for the belt or endless conveyor 29.

Herein there is illustrated two substantially vertically superposed crescent shaped hollow chest structures, same being of partable or separable character. The upper chest has two portions 22 and 23, the interiors of which are supplied with steam for heating purposes. Steam is supplied by line 24 and discharges by line 25, see Fig. 2. These are suitably controlled as is common in the laundry industry.

The two sections are detachably secured together as indicate-d at 26. Section 22 is supported by frame In as at 21 and section 23 a at 28. These two sections provide an interior, somewhat cylindrical like, rigid, con-cave, heated ironing face substantially arcuate in cross-section and having a central angle greater than 180 and usually 270 or greater. The upper chest has an opening or throat of about central angle.

Positioned within each chest is an expansible roll or cylinder 29, the details of which are illustrated most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. The canvas or like conveyor belt 29, of endless character passes over power pulley l9, over idler pulley 39 suitably supported by frame 19 and thence tangentially engages cylinder 29 at the chest open mouth exposed portion of the cylinder.

It passes almost completely about the cylinder and between the cylinder and chest ironing face and thence outwardly at 3041. Work carried by the upper face of the upper run ofthe belt thus is presented at 39a to and passed between the cylinder 29 and the chest ironing face, the work being pressed into engagement with said face due to the pressure applied by the expansible cylinder. This cylinder is rotatable at substantially the same linear speed as the belt by means hereinafter to be set forth.

The belt at 3| passes around and inside the smooth exterior of upper chest section 23 and the ironed work is dried by the heat therefrom. It is also held thereby on the belt until the belt changes direction, to-wit at 30a, and lies underneath the work as indicated by numerals 3| and 3|a. which designates this portion of the belt.

Beneath the upper complementary chest and expansible cylinder is a somewhat similar arrangement. Note, however, while the same numerals with prime designations designate similar parts they, especially the chest, are not identical. If but two superposed units are employed the belt portion 3|a' upon the exterior of the lower chest is brought upwardly and outwardly as at 32. It passes over idler rolls 33 and 34 and under roller 35 before it passes about driving pulley I9, see Fig. 1.

In an intermediate plane between the two ironing units may be provided a take-off table 35 which may be suitably mounted so that it can automatically remove the work from the belt between units. Herein such table is shown of tiltable character being pivoted at 31. It may be otherwise movable and otherwise supported, if desired.

When it engages the belt, the work moves from the belt to the table 35 and is discharged thereby to another table or conveyor indicated by numeral 38. Thus handkerchiefs and lighter flatwork would be discharged at this station and heavier and thicker pieces would continue on through the machine when the table 36 is tilted to dotted line position.

If desired, such work can be further folded at table 38 and then fed back into the mangle between the ironing units and further ironed. The normal discharge, however, will occur at table 38' as shown at the lower level. The second table 38' shown at level or below table 38 in Fig. 1 may indicate a second position of said table 38 and which change can be rapidly effected by the operator if a series of light articles are coming through to be followed by a series of heavier articles. When the articles are handled hit and miss then two tables 38 and 38' may be desirable as shown in Fig. 1. When the table 38 is positioned in elevated relation or two tables are used, the belt stripper and table transfer element 36 is caused to engage the belt for article takeoff purpose between the chests.

Reference will now be had more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3 for a detailed illustration of one and the preferred embodiment of expansible roll or cylinder whereby the work is pressed against the ironing face or platen as the work is carried through the unit by the endless belt structure.

The expansible cylinder or roll includes a cylindrical shell having sufiicient body strength for the purposes required, yet having a certain resiliency so that it is capable of expansion to the desired degree when subjected to internal pressure. Such a cylinder is preferably of rubber or rubber-like material, such as a synthetic rubber substitute, the latter being tougher and heat resistant to a greater degree than rubber per se, and of such materials, Neoprene" is an example, although by this recitation it is not intended, unless specified by the claims, to exclude other suitable materials or a combination thereof, since the specific material of which the cylinders are made is not a part of this invention, except as originally disclosed and claimed herein.

Extending longitudinal of the cylinder and radially inward from the inner surface are the ribs 48. These are integral with the cylinder body and preferably have included therein metallic tubing reenforcement 4|. These ribs terminate short of the ends.

The cylinder ends include an inner plate 42 and an outer plate 43. Between the same is an annular groove 44. Herein this is shown provided in the inner plate. The cylinder inturned end 45 is clampingly mounted therebetween. The clamping means includes nuts 46 and rod 41, the latter passing through holes 48 and 49 in 4 plates 42 and 43. The inturned end 45 has radially elongated registering openings 50.

Herein both cylinder ends are similar and rods 47 extend from end to end as at 5| and are seated in the metallic tubular structures 4| and constitute driving elements for the cylinder. Herein four such arrangements are illustrated. However, any desired number may be employed so long as cylinder is flexible and is capable of expansion under pressure and does not tortionally distort.

The plate 43 at one end (herein at the left), see Fig. 2, includes an axial extension 52 with which is rigid a sprocket gear 53. Adjustably mounted in the adjacent frame portion H] as at 54 is a stop member 55 which prevents axial or end play of the cylinder to the left.

Reference will now be had to the cylinder right hand end, see Fig. 2. Herein the portion 52 extending from plate 43 is of large diameter and has a bore 56 and an extension 520., which extension extends through the sprocket gear 53 carried by member 52. Plate 42 is coaxially apertured at 51 and the coaxial extension 51a receives one end of a flexible pressure supplying connection such as a hose 58.

A tubular member 59 is secured at 60 to a tubular extension 6| carried by frame I0. Member 59 has elongated slots 62 to permit telescopic adjustment of the two tubular portions 59--6 The end member 59 may be internally flanged as at 63 to form an axial end play preventing stop against which the extension 52a of a sprocket mount 52 may engage. In effect, therefore, sprocket 52 operatively engages the adjacent end of stop 59. The two end play stops are adjusted to prevent as much end play as possible, having due regard for elimination of friction between the stops and the intermediate mechanism, see Fig. 2.

The frame Ill opposite extension 6| supports member 64 having a central bore 65 registering with the bore of tubular extension 6 This bore 65 is enlarged to form chamber 65 and the outer end wall portion is threaded at 61 to receive an apertured plug 68. A tubular extension 69 coaxial with aperture 19 is adapted to support and connect rigidly with one end of a pressure supply line H, as illustrated, or by any other equivalent convenient connection.

The other end of flexible tube 58 is secured to the stem of apertured disc 12 which bears against face 13 of chamber 66 and is constrained to sealing engagement by spring 14. This arrangement permits free rotation of the roll without undue loss of pressure and frequent renewal of a packed joint. It is to be understood that disc 12 and face 13 may be conical or partially spherical in character without departing from the broad disclosure, these being usual equivalents of such a connection except that in this instance the roll is floatingly mounted, as well as mounted for rotation.

Reference now will be had to Fig. 1. Chain rotates two sprockets 15 carried by shaft l6 supported in fixed bearings in frame I0. On said shaft is a sprocket H and a chain 18 drives sprocket 19 on a superposed shaft 88 similarly mounted and to which is similarly secured spaced sprockets 8|.

At the opposite side of the upper chest and roll unit and mounted in adjustable bearings 83 in frame I0 is shaft 82 parallel to shaft 8|. The adjustable bearings are normally constrained to the left by springs 84, the force of which is adjusted as at 85. A sprocket chain I00 adjacent each frame portion I meshes with the adjacent sprockets 81 on shaft 82 and 8| on shaft 80 and has upper and lower engagement with the sprocket gear 52 of the roll. All of the aforesaid sprockets are in coplanar alignment.

By this arrangement each roll is positively driven (rotated) and fioatingly supported within the chest. It is confined by a certain area within the chest because of the great degree of circularity of its ironing face. All rolls are similarly supported and driven.

In Fig. 1, 90 indicates a pressure pump, motor operable, and same is connected by means not shown to the pressure supply lines 1| of the rolls. A relief valve 9| on said pump prevents excessive application of pressure. A relief valve 92 in each pressure supply line 1| (see Fig. 2), insures proper pressure application to the roll which usually is in the neighborhood of 5 to 8 pounds per square inch.

The resulting construction is therefore compact, of great ironing surface capacity, is more or less self-adjusting in its operation and is protected against roll escapement, excessive pressure application and especially motor burn-out if any of the rolls should jam, if the pressure controls fail, or the work being handled requires roll contraction for operation.

In Figs. 4 and 5 is illustrated a modified form of the invention. Herein numerals of the one hundred series indicate like or similar parts. Numerals of the two hundred series indicate additional or other parts.

In this form of the invention there is illustrated a suction arrangement which is effective externally so that it does not interfere with the internal pressure application for roll expansion.

The right hand end of the structure is substantially the same as illustrated in Fig. 2, and pressure is applied to the roll at this end. The structure at the left hand end is generally similar thereto except the relief valve 292 is arranged to relieve the suction if it becomes excessive.

The passage 251, instead of communicating with the roll interior, communicates by flexible conduits 216 with the outlets 211 substantially midway between the ends of tubular portions Ml. Each end of the tube MI is closed by a suitably formed rubber sleeve type stopper 218 driven into the tube end.

In the event such a closure is insufliciently resilient to permit roll expansion, the stopper, instead of being as shown in Fig. 4, may have a central portion smaller in diameter than tube I'M and at its roll and tube exposed end may have a lateral flange portion of flexible rubber which overlaps the end of said tube.

Suction applied at outlet 211 will always insure flange sealing of the tube end. This is also assisted by any pressure applied to the roll interior.

Leading from the exterior surface of the roll are any desired number of ducts 219, which, however, communicate with the interior of tubes MI by apertures 28!! therein. These ducts and apertures may be formed simultaneously in the roll by drilling from the roll exterior and into the tube.

It will be observed that the axial play prevention arrangement in this embodiment of the invention and at each end is substantially like that illustrated in Fig. 2 at the right hand end thereof.

The vacuum supply line 210 may include a regulating valve. The vacuum pump 28L see Fig. 1,

6 is also motor driven and may be suitably protected by a relief valve 282.

The aforesaid modification therefor removes the steam generated in the ironing operation. Any or all rolls may be modified, as desired. However, it is to be understood that the vacuum is of such amount that the ironed clothes are not held to the roll in the ironing operation.

In normal operation, see Fig. 1, articles are applied to the belt immediately to the left of roller 30. The belt and article passes between the upper roll 29 and chest 22 and the garments are on the ironing face of chest 22. They then pass to the lower roll and chest in like manner being ironed. The articles between the belt and convex surface of the chest are dried by the heat in the chest. Steam generated by ironing is exhausted through the rolls. The rolls and belt drive at the same peripheral speed. Articles may be removed at 36 or 32 as desired or required. Proper expansion of the rolls insures finish ironing.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a mangling machine the combination of a plurality of adjacent chests, each having a concave, arcuate sectioned ironing face, a cylinder rotatable in each chest, means for heating each chest, an endless work supporting element between each chest and cylinder and engaged by the latter for presenting the work to the heated arcuate ironing face of the chest, said element passing successively from an upper chest directly to the next lower chest, the exterior of the upper chest being disposed immediately contiguous to the chest exposed portion of next adjacent cylinder for preventing unintentional work displacement from the element between successive chests, means for moving the element and work through the chests, and work discharging means positioned between a pair of adjacent chests and having a portion thereof adjacent said work supporting element when in operative position for work removal when lower chest ironing is not desired, said portion being movable into non-removing position to permit lower chest ironing when desired.

2. In a mangling machine the combination of a plurality of adjacent chests each having a concave, arcuate sectioned inner ironing face and a convex arcuate sectioned outer ironing face, the two faces at one end merging one with the other by a substantially semi-circular sectioned portion, an ironing cylinder rotatable in each chest, means for heating each chest, an endless work supporting means entering one chest adjacent the semi-circular sectioned portion thereof and successively passing over the inner face, then over the semi-circular sectioned portion to the outer face and then over the outer face to similarly and directly enter the next adjacent chest, pass over the inner face, over the semicircular sectioned portion and then over the exterior face thereof, said means in leaving one chest and entering the next adjacent chest crossing over from one side to the other side of the respective chests and crossing a plane including the axes of the cylinders therein, the adjacent cylinders being rotatable in the same direction, and means for moving the first mentioned means through and about the chests.

3. A mangling machine as defined by claim 2 wherein work removing means is adjustably positioned between a pair of successive chests and ing on the convex surfaces, successive cylinders having rotational axes in a common plane, said means crossing that plane from one chest to the next cylinder, the successive cylinders having the same direction of rotation and of substantially the same size, the chest for each cylinder being otherwise independent of any other cylinder.

HARRY D. FORSE.

having a portion thereof adjacent said work X0 supporting element when in operative position for work removal from the work supporting means between these chests, said portion being movable into non-removing position for multiple chest ironing.

4. In a mangling machine, the combination of a plurality of adjacent heated chests, each having a concave inner ironing surface and a convex outer ironing surface, an ironin cylinder in each chest, an endless work supporting means 2 REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 835,188 Gilmore Nov. 6, 1906 1,440,862 Benjamin Jan. 2, 1923 2,003,993 Couch June 4, 1935 0 2,057,989 West Oct. 20, 1936 2,074,410 Matthews Mar. 23, 1937 

